Chess and life

Life’s daily chess moves require care
by Bonnie Titley

…It was 1965 and my husband and I were fairly new to Fort Collins and the university. We had gathered with some other “newbies” at a colleague’s home for an evening of fun and music. The host’s 12-year-old son had recently learned chess from his father and challenged me to a match (assuming, I guess, that all adults knew the game). I had him set up the board. (I wasn’t sure of the correct order on the back row.)

I moved first – pushing a pawn forward. Thoughtfully, my young opponent countered. Remember, I had no idea what I was doing, thus, I had no strategy and was not looking ahead. I was playing one move at a time, just trying to keep my head above water. My young foe took longer and longer to make a move because he was trying to decipher my nonexistent strategy. I checkmated without realizing it!

I knew only by the look on the boy’s face – and his comment: “What defense were you using? I’ve got to read up on it.” According to the definition of “cautiousness,” I got the right result, albeit by making random moves at the right time. I wasn’t working from knowledge of what move was appropriate. There was no thinking or looking ahead, no considering of a series of intervening steps, no analysis of what my opponent was doing or trying to do. I was just trying to stay alive – I was being rash.

My young friend was being cautious. He was evaluating the pattern on the board. He was analyzing my every move so he could make better decisions. He was responding appropriately and not taking shortcuts. And when he lost, he asked good questions so he could learn from his experience.

We are faced daily with “lifetime chess moves” in situations requiring cautiousness. Increased traffic – more accidents, aggressive drivers. Internet-porn sites, predatory behaviors. Identity theft. Terrorist activities. Natural disasters. It is our personal choice to face each one “knowing how important timing is in accomplishing right actions” or to act rashly and think only of ourselves and the moment.

Here is the full article.